Chicago IL vs Lowell MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 114,799 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 39.1% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 28.4% | 10.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 19.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $36,138 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 29.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $484,226 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 44.0% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 47.0 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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